Flat Die Extruded Biocompatible Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA)/Poly(Butylene Succinate) (PBS) Based Films

Biodegradable polymers are promising materials for films and sheets used in many widely diffused applications like packaging, personal care products and sanitary products, where the synergy of high biocompatibility and reduced environmental impact can be particularly significant. Plasticized poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) blend-based films, showing high cytocompatibility and improved flexibility than pure PLA, were prepared by laboratory extrusion and their processability was controlled by the use of a few percent of a commercial melt strength enhancer, based on acrylic copolymers and micro-calcium carbonate. The melt strength enhancer was also found effective in reducing the crystallinity of the films. The process was upscaled by producing flat die extruded films in which elongation at break and tear resistance were improved than pure PLA. The in vitro biocompatibility, investigated through the contact of flat die extruded films with cells, namely, keratinocytes and mesenchymal stromal cells, resulted improved with respect to low density polyethylene (LDPE). Moreover, the PLA-based materials were able to affect immunomodulatory behavior of cells and showed a slight indirect anti-microbial effect. These properties could be exploited in several applications, where the contact with skin and body is relevant.

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Poly(Lactic Acid)/Poly(Butylene Succinate) Blends Filled with Epoxy Functionalised Polymeric Chain Extender

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.664.644 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 664 ◽

pp. 644-648 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Phasawat Chaiwutthinan ◽

Thanawadee Leejarkpai ◽

Dujreutai Pongkao Kashima ◽

Saowaroj Chuayjuljit

Keyword(s):

Thermal Stability ◽

Lactic Acid ◽

Tensile Modulus ◽

Chain Extender ◽

Poly Lactic Acid ◽

Polymeric Chain ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Butylene Succinate ◽

Elongation At Break ◽

Two Stages

In this work, biodegradable plastics were produced from different poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/ poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) blend ratios in the presence of a fix loading (1 phr) of a commercial epoxy functionalised polymeric chain extender (Joncryl ADR-4300-S). The effects of blend ratio and chain extender on the tensile properties, thermal stability and morphology were investigated by the tensile testing, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results show that the incorporation of PBS and Joncryl into PLA apparently reduced the tensile strength and tensile modulus, but increased the elongation at break of the blends in a dose-dependent manner. However, their blends provide interesting materials for industrial packaging applications, due to their enhanced ductility by decreasing the tensile modulus and increasing the elongation at break. TGA analysis showed that thermal stability of the blends was lower than that of the pure PLA and PBS. Moreover, the chain-extended products exhibit two stages of thermal decomposition, the first was due to the degradation of PBS, and the second was due to the degradation of PLA.

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In Vitro and In Vivo Biosafety Analysis of Resorbable Polyglycolic Acid-Polylactic Acid Block Copolymer Composites for Spinal Fixation

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13010029 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 29

Author(s):

Seung Kyun Yoon ◽

Jin Ho Yang ◽

Hyun Tae Lim ◽

Young-Wook Chang ◽

Muhammad Ayyoob ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lactic Acid ◽

Animal Experiments ◽

Polymeric Materials ◽

Polyglycolic Acid ◽

Poly Lactic Acid ◽

Skin Sensitization ◽

Spinal Fixation ◽

In Vivo Degradation

Herein, spinal fixation implants were constructed using degradable polymeric materials such as PGA–PLA block copolymers (poly(glycolic acid-b-lactic acid)). These materials were reinforced by blending with HA-g-PLA (hydroxyapatite-graft-poly lactic acid) and PGA fiber before being tested to confirm its biocompatibility via in vitro (MTT assay) and in vivo animal experiments (i.e., skin sensitization, intradermal intracutaneous reaction, and in vivo degradation tests). Every specimen exhibited suitable biocompatibility and biodegradability for use as resorbable spinal fixation materials.

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Poly(Lactic Acid)–Poly(Butylene Succinate)–Sugar Beet Pulp Composites; Part I: Mechanics of Composites with Fine and Coarse Sugar Beet Pulp Particles

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13152531 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (15) ◽

pp. 2531

Author(s):

Rodion Kopitzky

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Lactic Acid ◽

Sugar Beet ◽

Cell Structure ◽

Sugar Beet Pulp ◽

Poly Lactic Acid ◽

Butylene Succinate ◽

Fracture Patterns ◽

Beet Pulp ◽

The Impact

Sugar beet pulp (SBP) is a residue available in large quantities from the sugar industry, and can serve as a cost-effective bio-based and biodegradable filler for fully bio-based compounds based on bio-based polyesters. The heterogeneous cell structure of sugar beet suggests that the processing of SBP can affect the properties of the composite. An “Ultra-Rotor” type air turbulence mill was used to produce SBP particles of different sizes. These particles were processed in a twin-screw extruder with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and fillers to granules for possible marketable formulations. Different screw designs, compatibilizers and the use of glycerol as a thermoplasticization agent for SBP were also tested. The spherical, cubic, or ellipsoidal-like shaped particles of SBP are not suitable for usage as a fiber-like reinforcement. In addition, the fineness of ground SBP affects the mechanical properties because (i) a high proportion of polar surfaces leads to poor compatibility, and (ii) due to the inner structure of the particulate matter, the strength of the composite is limited to the cohesive strength of compressed sugar-cell compartments of the SBP. The compatibilization of the polymer–matrix–particle interface can be achieved by using compatibilizers of different types. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) fracture patterns show that the compatibilization can lead to both well-bonded particles and cohesive fracture patterns in the matrix. Nevertheless, the mechanical properties are limited by the impact and elongation behavior. Therefore, the applications of SBP-based composites must be well considered.

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The effect of poly(ethylene glycol) as plasticizer in blends of poly(lactic acid) and poly(butylene succinate)

Journal of Applied Polymer Science ◽

10.1002/app.43044 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 133 (8) ◽

pp. n/a-n/a ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Weraporn Pivsa-Art ◽

Kazunori Fujii ◽

Keiichiro Nomura ◽

Yuji Aso ◽

Hitomi Ohara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lactic Acid ◽

Ethylene Glycol ◽

Poly Lactic Acid ◽

Poly Ethylene Glycol ◽

Butylene Succinate ◽

Poly Ethylene

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Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Properties of Thermoplastic Starch/Poly(lactic acid/Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) Blends

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.970.312 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 970 ◽

pp. 312-316

Author(s):

Sujaree Tachaphiboonsap ◽

Kasama Jarukumjorn

Keyword(s):

Lactic Acid ◽

Impact Strength ◽

Interfacial Adhesion ◽

Tensile Modulus ◽

Thermoplastic Starch ◽

Morphological Properties ◽

Poly Lactic Acid ◽

Melt Blending ◽

Elongation At Break ◽

Blending Method

Thermoplastic starch (TPS)/poly (lactic acid) (PLA) blend and thermoplastic starch (TPS)/poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blend were prepared by melt blending method. PLA grafted with maleic anhydride (PLA-g-MA) was used as a compatibilizer to improve the compatibility of the blends. As TPS was incorporated into PLA, elongation at break was increased while tensile strength, tensile modulus, and impact strength were decreased. Tensile properties and impact properties of TPS/PLA blend were improved with adding PLA-g-MA indicating the enhancement of interfacial adhesion between PLA and TPS. With increasing PBAT content, elongation at break and impact strength of TPS/PLA blends were improved. The addition of TPS decreased glass transition temperature (Tg), crystallization temperature (Tc), and melting temperature (Tm) of PLA. Tgand Tcof TPS/PLA blend were decreased by incorporating PLA-g-MA. However, the presence of PBAT reduced Tcof TPS/PLA blend. Thermal properties of TPS/PLA/PBAT blends did not change with increasing PBAT content. SEM micrographs revealed that the compatibilized TPS/PLA blends exhibited finer morphology when compared to the uncompatibilized TPS/PLA blend.

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Tensile and water absorption properties of solvent cast biofilms of sugarcane leaves fibre-filled poly(lactic) acid

Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials ◽

10.1177/0892705718805526 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 289-304 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Kuhananthan Nanthakumar ◽

Chan Ming Yeng ◽

Koay Seong Chun

Keyword(s):

Tensile Strength ◽

Lactic Acid ◽

Water Absorption ◽

Young’S Modulus ◽

Young's Modulus ◽

Poly Lactic Acid ◽

Infrared Analysis ◽

Absorption Properties ◽

Elongation At Break ◽

Bleaching Treatment

This research covers the preparation of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/sugarcane leaves fibre (SLF) biofilms via a solvent-casting method. The results showed that the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of PLA/SLF biofilms increased with the increasing of SLF content. Nevertheless, the elongation at break showed an opposite trend as compared to tensile strength and Young’s modulus of biofilms. Moreover, water absorption properties of PLA/SLF biofilms increased with the increasing of SLF content. In contrast, the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of biofilms were enhanced after bleaching treatment with hydrogen peroxide on SLF, but the elongation at break and water absorption properties of bleached biofilms were reduced due to the improvement of filler–matrix adhesion in biofilms. The tensile and water properties were further discussed using B-factor and Fick’s law, respectively. Furthermore, the functional groups of unbleached and bleached SLF were characterized by Fourier transform infrared analysis.

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Star Shaped Long Chain Branched Poly (lactic acid) Prepared by Melt Transesterification with Trimethylolpropane Triacrylate and Nano-ZnO

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym10070796 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 796 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Le Yang ◽

Zaijun Yang ◽

Feng Zhang ◽

Lijin Xie ◽

Zhu Luo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lactic Acid ◽

High Efficiency ◽

Synergistic Effects ◽

Transesterification Reaction ◽

Poly Lactic Acid ◽

Cell Diameter ◽

Nano Zno ◽

Melt Strength ◽

Trimethylolpropane Triacrylate ◽

Long Chain

Long chain branched poly (lactic acid) (LCBPLA) was prepared via transesterification between high molecular weight poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and low molar mass monomer trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) during melt blending in the presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles (nano-ZnO) as a transesterification accelerant in a torque rheometer. Compared with the traditional processing methods, this novel way is high-efficiency, environmentally friendly, and gel-free. The results revealed that chain restructuring reactions occurred and TMPTA was grafted onto the PLA backbone. The topological structures of LCBPLA were verified and investigated in detail. It was found that the concentration of the accelerants and the sampling occasion had very important roles in the occurrence of branching structures. When the nano-ZnO dosage was 0.4 phr and PLA was sampled at the time corresponding to the reaction peak in the torque curve, PLA exhibited a star-shaped topological structure with a high branching degree which could obviously affect the melt strength, extrusion foaming performances, and crystallization behaviors. Compared with pristine PLA, LCBPLA showed a higher melt strength, smaller cell diameter, and slower crystallization speed owing to the synergistic effects of nano-ZnO and the long chain branches introduced by the transesterification reaction in the system. However, severe degradation of the LCBPLAs would take place under a mixing time that was too long and lots of short linear chains generated due to the excessive transesterification reaction, with a sharp decline in melt strength.

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